GE GL317D, Instruction Manual

Page: 245 / 296

Equipment end of life
Guidelines for the handling of used SF6 gas
and its secondary products
GE Information
07- 2016 L81- 001EN/03
3/4
Opening- up SF
6
gas switchgear
Precautions to take At the time of the opening- up SF
6
gas switchgear, take the precautions
below:
D
Open- up SF
6
switchgear only after the gas has been evacuated and the
pressure inside the apparatus has been reduced to that of atmospheric pres-
sure.
D
Put the ventilation system in operation or ensure that fresh air circulates
in some other manner when switchgear which contains decomposition
products is opened (e.g. circuit- breaker).
D
Wear suitable fresh air breathing apparatus if there is even the slightest
possibility that personnel working on the equipment could be put in danger
through inhalation of hazardous amounts of gas vapor from powdery decom-
position products.
D
Wear special overalls when working on opened- up SF
6
switchgear which
contains powdery decomposition products. After completing work remove
overalls.
D
Avoid stirring- up dust and powder from SF
6
switchgear. Difficult to remove
dust can be removed with dry non- fibrous rags. A vacuum cleaner should be
used to remove loose dust. The vacuum cleaner filter should be able to retains
particles of a least 1
Ą
m
in size.
D
Items (such as rags, vacuum cleaner, throw- away- overalls, gloves, etc.)
which come in contact with the decomposition products must be collected and
neutralized so that the dust cannot be transferred. Before getting rid of these
items neutralize in a 3 percent soda solution for 24 hours. verify the degree
of neutralization after 24 hours. When soda is added, no bubbles should be
result. If there are bubbles repeat the neutralization.
D
Under all circumstances ensure that the decomposition products neither
come in contact with skin, eyes, clothes, nor that they are swallowed or
inhaled. Pay special attention to cleanliness of body, clothes and work-
bench. Dust or powder that comes in contact with skin must be washed away
with plenty of water.
It is advisable to wash face, neck, arms and hands with soap and plenty of
water before work- breaks and after stoppage of work.
D
Avoid eating, drinking, smoking or storing eatables in rooms or outdoors
near t

opened SF
6
switchgear which may contain arc- decomposed powder.